As of August 10, Pepacton Reservoir is at 91.4% capacity. Our reservoirs are still higher than average capacity for this time of year; current storage is 92.7% full, with the “normal” storage being just 82.9%. For the month of July, the average (historical) rainfall recorded by the DEP in our area is 4.38 inches; this year, the recorded rainfall for the month of July was 6.03 inches. It has made boating in the reservoir much easier – with a lot shorter distance to drag the boat!

Heading into the middle of August, we can usually expect low water conditions and warm water temperatures, making fishing somewhat challenging. However, the rain we’ve received midweek has kept water levels and temperatures favorable for this time of year. As of Tuesday morning, area rivers and streams were at a slightly above-average flow.

The East Branch Delaware at Fishs Eddy is flowing at 413 cubic feet per second, which is slightly above the average flow of 317 cfs for this date, August 12, over 59 years of record-keeping.

The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls is also a bit above average, with a reading of 144 cubic feet per second, above the average flow of 129 cfs based on 101 years of record-keeping.

Hatches will be more prolific in the early mornings and late afternoon/evenings. Watch for various sizes and colors of Caddis in the mornings, along with Blue-Winged Olives. Later in the day the Sulphurs and Light Cahills should make their appearance. Summer is also a good time of year for terrestrials - ants, beetles, inchworms, hoppers - along with midges (tiny flies, sizes #18, #20 and so on.) Be sure to tie on smaller tippet to your leader to match the sizes of flies you're using - go from 5X to 6X for sizes #18 and #20, even 7X for smaller flies